One in three Aussies DON’T wash their hands after going to the toilet and less than half bother to wash before eating food
- The Food Safety Information Council conducted a survey of 229 people under 25
- Some 31 per cent said they did not always wash their hands after using the toilet
- And a total of 51 per cent said they did not wash hands before eating food
- Experts warned that Australians should wash hands after blowing their nose
Around a third of young Australians don’t always wash their hands after going to the toilet, new research has found.
The survey of 229 people by the Food Safety Information Council also found fewer than half of Australians under 25 wash their hands before eating.
The figures have caused alarm as coronavirus spreads around the world with 15 cases in Australia.
Around a third of young Australians don’t wash their hands after going to the toilet, new research has found
Cathy Moir, Chair of the Food Safety Information Council, said washing hands can reduce the risk of food poisoning as well as preventing the spread of viral diseases such as colds, flu, gastro caused by Norovirus and the COVID19 Coronavirus.
She said: ‘To reduce your risk of spreading bacteria and viruses around, always wash and dry your hands before handling, preparing and eating food.
‘Wash hands particularly after touching raw meats and poultry, fish, shellfish, shell eggs or unwashed potatoes etc.
‘Always wash your hands after using the toilet, blowing your nose or touching any infected wounds or sores.’
The survey found that 31 per cent said they did not always wash their hands after using the toilet and 51 per cent said they did not wash hands before eating.